Are you an adventure loving person? Then here waits for the perfect Kanamo peak trek for you. All you are going to do is to climb up a peak- The Kanamo peak. One of the rarest opportunity to trek 6000m above the sea level to enjoy the majestic views of The Himalayas. What awaits you is camping near the beautiful Chandratal and crossing through mesmerizing Spiti Valley- the land between Tibet and India. There are also a couple of forts which you can definitely visit as a part of the trip. There are age-old monasteries and high hamlets too along the way. This would be hence the classic expedition that you have been waiting for so long.
The best part is that it is one of those few peaks that could be hiked by an amateur in mountaineering.
Another highlight of the Kanamo Peak trek would be river rafting. Spiti River is one of the best spots for river rafting and trekkers can experience not just monotonous trekking but adventurous rafting too. So all you have to do is book a ticket to Manali, you will get a drive from there to Batal, and the drive to is exceptional as it crosses the Rohtang Pass and Lahaul valley. From Batal you would be hiking to the views of Chandratal, a lake that is located some 4300 meters above the sea level. The lake has the shape of a moon, hence the name. There are also many camps of shepherd communities next to the lake, helping you to learn more about the culture of the place and people. It is a moderate trekking, and not as technical as other trek seems to be, but it requires your effort.
But none of the efforts goes unrewarded. Awaiting you is the views of Kullu, Kinnaur, and Ladakh. From the top, you will get a sky view of the entire place which is the best sight that the Kanamo peak trek promises.
Kanamo Peak Trek
Kanamo is also called the white lady peak. It could be difficult or could be considered a task as hiking to the peak might cause issues related to acclimatization, but there is no doubt that the Kanamo peak trek is enjoyable and beautiful. You will come across the breathtaking views of Chandratal and Spiti valley and also you might encounter the Gaddi shepherds. You can also view the Bara Shigri Glacier, barren terrain of Lahaul and Spiti valley through Rohtang Pass. Coming across Gaddi shepherds who reside in the valley would be a good opportunity to learn more about the nomadic lifestyle that these people are into.
Trek Highlights
- An opportunity to do river rafting in the Spiti River
- 360-degree view of the entire place from the peak
- Moderate hiking, accessible to those who are amateurs in mountaineering
- Encounter with Gaddi shepherds letting one know more about their culture
- An opportunity to see the different forts, monasteries, and hamlets along the way
- Opportunity to camp in a river bank
- Opportunity to witness the mesmerizing view of Spiti valley
- The chance to visit Kibber, one of the highest inhabited villages
- Best of sunrise and sunsets.
- While returning one will pass through the Spiti River which is the place for many adventure sports like rafting, paragliding, skiing etc.
Key Facts
- Location: Himachal Pradesh
- Starting from: Manali
- Temperature: 14°C-20°C degree Celsius in the morning; 4°C-4°C Celsius at night
- Trekking Distance: 27-kilometers
- Maximum altitude: 19553 feet
- Duration: 7 days 6 nights
- Difficulty Level: Moderate
- Nearest Railway Station: Pathankot Railway Station
- Nearest Airport: Bhuntar Airport, Kullu
- Accommodation Type: Camping
- Food: Nutritious food suitable for trekking
- ATM: Kaza, has the last ATM point before your trek begins
- Best Time to Visit: Mid-June to early October
- Duration: 3 Days and 2 Nights
- Key attractions: Spiti valley, Lahaul, Rohtang pass, monasteries, forts, Kibber, Spiti River etc
Itinerary
Day 1- Drive from Manali to Batal
The first day begins with a breakfast from Manali and you will also receive a drive to Batal. Manali is at an elevation of 2000 meters and Batal at 3907 meters. The route is extremely beautiful as you would be passing through the majestic looks of Kullu valley and Manali valley. From there, there is a shift to the barren lands of Lahaul and Spiti. You would be driven through Rohtang pass on the Pir Panjal ranges of the Himalayas. Batal would be where the first day ends and it is allotted one whole night so that you could get acclimatized and be ready for the trekking happening the next day.
As soon as you reach the destination you can prepare the work of your camps and get yourself busy with a small acclimatization hike. The night would be passed in the tents and the proper Kanamo peak trek would begin the next day. The drive from Manali to Batal is of 4 hours.
Day 2- Trek from Batal to Chandratal
Like the previous day, the day will start with a healthy breakfast. The trekking would begin immediately after the breakfast. The first task of the group would be to cross the river of Chandra. And from there one can begin the journey upwards from Batal. After trekking for a long and tedious 6 hours one can reach the Chandratal Lake, which is moon shaped and is the origin of River Chandra.
Here is where you can find the Gaddi shepherds. And also from the banks of the river, one can watch the mesmerizing view of Bara Shigri Glaciers. Various ice-capped mountains in The Himalayas are also visible from here. The highlight of the day would be the experience of camping next to the lakeside, looking at the zillion stars above.
Day 3- Trek from Chandratal to Kibber (4250 meters) through Kunzum La (4600m)
Get ready right after the breakfast. The trek on this day would start from the Chandratal Lake and is headed towards the Kunzum pass top initially. Kunzum La, as mentioned is located at 4600 meters above the sea level. It is light has a happy-happy tone to it and the land is of semi-arid nature. From here one will be given a drive to Kibber. One will reach Kibber by the evening. Kibber has an old and beautiful Buddhist monastery and the beauty of Spiti valley as said earlier is mesmerizing. There are many beautiful houses made of stone in this location and people are engaged in agriculture.
Day 4- Trek from Kibber to Kanamo Base Camp
After having spent the night at Kibber, and having had enough time to acclimatize oneself, on the fourth day one will set the journey to Kanamo Base Camp, located at 4800 meters above the sea level. The initial part of the hike would be steep, which gradually becomes easier and less tedious as well. There is a tiny lake along the way which you will have to cross. This lake is the source of pure water to the town of Kaza. It is at the Kanamo Base Camp where one would be spending the night.
Day 5- Trek from Kanamo Base Camp to Kanamo Peak Summit and back to Kanamo Base Camp
Each trekker would be provided with a heavy breakfast at the beginning of the day. Right after breakfast starts the hike to the 6000 meters peak, crossing 2 shoulders in the mountain. Following this, one will have to further climb an elevation taking you to the top. There could be snow caps in the top depending upon the season in which you are climbing the mountaintop.
Hence this demands you to be extra careful. The view from the top is mesmerizing and includes Parang La Pass that leads to Ladakh, Pin Parvati Pass that leads to Kullu Valley, Kinnaur ranges, Lahaul and Spiti and the stunning valleys. It all depends on the weather as to how much time could be spent at the peak. After spending ample time enjoying the view one can start to descend down to the base camp. It is at the night camp wherein one would be spending the night.
Day 6- Descend from Kanamo Base Camp to Kibber (4 Hours) and drive from Kibber to Kaza (30 Minute drive)
This would is the day when you will be descending to Kibber. The trek would begin right after breakfast, from where you will get a drive to the hotel in which you are residing in Kaza. Kaza is also an interesting place to be around. Hence once after taking rest one can spend time enjoying the place. The Spiti River also gives you an opportunity to do river rafting. The river is turbulent and hence the whole activity has an adventure tone to it. The landscape around the river is beautiful as well.
Though adventurous it is easier to draft here as well, hence it could be done by beginners as well or even those who are not familiar with swimming can undertake the activity. Retire for the night, the final night at Kaza with a celebratory dinner.
Day 7- Drive from Kaza to Manali
Well, this is the final day, the day to say goodbye to the place. Have breakfast, pack the bags and well that’s how you wrap up the trip. Once you leave the hotel you can begin your return journey to Manali. There are many drives available.
